[READ] Are Public Libraries Obsolete? - Comments Page 3

I think as libraries have taken on a number of functions that have little to do with the basic concept of borrowing books and a place to acquire knowledge from its reference section.

I therefore think they should no longer be called 'libraries'. They should be known as 'Information Centers' or even better simply 'info centers'.
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Just got back from my State Library in the centre of the city. Every day there is a large crowd of uni students and the general public waiting to get in when the door open at 10 am. Far from obsolete, this library is thriving and I happily travel up to an hour each way on public transport to use it. smile emoticon

Even our small Vermont village had a library, presided over by our elementary teacher in the 1930's and on for many years. I spent many hours there both reading as well as borrowing books. The high school in neighboring larger town had a separate library, and now many years later husband and I are still regular library patrons. He spends many hours reading and I often borrow CD & DVD materials as well as books. Even when trying life on the road in an RV we were able to use an occasional library. Settled first in Greenwood County, SC, and now Union County, NC, we find county library systems with several branches, good book selections, special children's and genealogical sections, computer rooms, etc, and when we can no longer drive they will send the mobile unit. Libraries go back into ancient times but today are accessible to all, not just the upper classes. As important a resource as schools, let's support our Public Libraries, keep the name and use them often.

Our local libraries are definitely not dead. They have been renamed "Idea Exchange" which at this point describes the function a bit better than just "library".

The main public library in Fort Smith Arkansas is always busy. Also, the public library in Van Buren, Arkansas stays busy. Public libraries are a mainstay for communities, because you will always have people, who are unable to afford internet access or a computer at home.

We are fortunate in our small town of Goldendale, WA (pop.3407 as of last census) to not only have a Carnegie Library, but to have it be a member of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library system. I am not aware of any feature of big city libraries that we can't access; music downloads, ebooks, videos, art & not only the combined resources of at least 15 locations in 3 counties, but a member of the World Library with 2 billion items shared between 10,000 libraries. Oh yeah and the wi-fi is available inside & out with kids and adults outside even on Sundays, the only day the library is closed since a brief decision a couple of years back to decrease hours was loudly protested by all the communities involved and the money to keep historic hours was raised.

I have been a pest to the librarians here since my momma taught me to read and got me my first library card. I'll find a book that captures me and hide in a corner until they chase me out. "We're closing and you have to leave." (Dammit!)I'm not rich nor is my family but we support the Jefferson County Public Library all we can. It's something wonderful. Anybody can walk in, pick out a book, find a comfy chair and READ. Computer access, timed but free, the latest magazines, major papers, latest from your favorite writers and all kind of stuff you would not expect. There's a section dedicated to ancestors/family and it's quite extensive. All sorts of wonderful astounding and very interesting stuff and all you gotta do is go there and Do It.
Once again, I got lost somewhere down the line.

I live in Mackay, Australia, it's in North Queensland and Libraries are just as important and well used here with audio books and DVD's being very popular as well as the internet and research tools. There is also a Local History section which is interesting as well.

Long live the Library!

As should be public transportation....public libraries should be self-supporting. Those that use should pay. I have no need for either (never have) and resent being forced to pay for them.

Whats so bad about users funding that which they use ???